I know that my ex and I had 10 years of joy and happiness before the kids took most of our BDSM away. During that time she would tell anyone that listened that we were best friends and we were.

Children need to be protected from the life but we stopped and finally even those stolen moments stopped.

So yes if your willing to work very hard at being friends and lovers the life will give you a long and happy adventure but don't stop find ways to continue no matter what or life will just keep throwing curves at you till it destroys you.